Condition of eligibility — Effect of failure to comply.

(a) If an applicant or recipient claims good cause for noncooperation under § 4-217.09 and the Mayor determines that good cause does not exist, the applicant or recipient shall be notified and given an opportunity to cooperate, to withdraw the application for assistance, or to have the assistance case closed. Refusal to cooperate, after such notice and opportunity to cooperate, shall result in imposition of the sanctions provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) If an applicant for, or recipient of, assistance, who is the parent of the child with respect to whom assistance is claimed, fails to cooperate as required by § 4-217.08 , and the Mayor has determined under § 4-217.09 that the applicant or recipient does not have good cause for noncooperation, the amount of the applicant’s or recipient’s public assistance grant shall be reduced by 25%.